Box Score  

Belmont, N.C.----Wingate University junior outfielder Thomas Spitz (West Chester, Pa.) drove in four runs Tuesday afternoon, including the go-ahead two-run single in the seventh to lead the Bulldogs to a 9-5 victory at Belmont Abbey College in NCAA Division II baseball action. The Bulldogs improve to 7-2 overall, while the Crusaders fall to 4-7 on the season.

Spitz was two-for-four on the afternoon, adding a double and a run scored to lead the Wingate attack. Sophomore outfielder Bill Krebs (West Chester, Pa.) was two-for-five with three RBI, while freshman infielder Shane Billings (Kernersville, N.C.) was one-for-two with a triple and three runs scored. Senior outfielder Eric Serra (Miami, Fla.) had a triple, RBI and three runs scored for the Bulldogs, while junior designated hitter Josh Clark (Clemmons, N.C.) also had a triple and run scored.

Anthony Dimi went three-for-four with two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Belmont Abbey attack. Conor Kwalwa was one-for-two with two runs scored, while Michael Fals also drove in a run for the Crusaders.

Billings led off the game with a triple, then scored on Serra's sacrifice fly to give Wingate an early 1-0 lead. The Crusaders got two runners on base in the bottom of the frame via a walk and infield single. Both would score on passed balls to put BAC on top 2-1.

Wingate tied the game in the third when Serra ripped a one-out triple to right, then scored on a Spitz sacrifice fly to make it 2-2. Dimi led off the bottom of the third with a double, then scored on a sacrifice fly from Fals to put Belmont Abbey back on top by one.

Clark started the fourth with a triple, then scored on an RBI groundout from junior catcher Tyler Simmons (Charlotte, N.C.) to make it 3-3. BAC again had the answer, taking a 4-3 lead on an RBI single from Kwalwa in the fifth.

The Bulldogs regained the lead in the seventh, scoring three runs. It all started with a two-out single from junior shortstop Michael Godinez (Cutler Bay, Fla.). A walk and hit batsman loaded the bases for Spitz, who gave the 'Dogs a one-run lead with a two-run single. Krebs followed with an RBI single to make it 6-4.

The Crusaders had two on with just one out in the bottom of the seventh, but freshman right-hander Brandon Donahue (Charlotte, N.C.) came out of the bullpen and got out of the jam with a strikeout and groundout to keep the 'Dogs on top by two.

Wingate added some insurance in the ninth, scoring three more runs. Spitz started it with an RBI double to left, while Krebs capped the scoring for the Bulldogs on the afternoon with a two-run single, making it 9-4.

Junior right-hander Brett Morgan (Clemmons, N.C.) got the win in relief, improving to 1-0. He went 1 1/3 innings without allowing a hit, striking out one. Donahue tossed the last 2 2/3 innings, allowing a run on two hits while striking out six. Freshman right-hander Jimmy Doolittle (Charlotte, N.C.) allowed just one earned run on four hits in five innings of work in his first collegiate start, striking out four. Tyler Barnes took the loss for Belmont Abbey, allowing six runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out two.

Wingate returns to action Friday, opening a three-game SAC series at Brevard at 2 p.m. The Bulldogs and Tornados meet for a doubleheader Saturday at 12 p.m.